Burnishing machine



May 29, 192s. 1,671,665

G. W. BLACKBURN nBURNISHING MACHINE Filed Dec. 9, 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 filo/"2795 May 29, 1928. 1,671,665

Gf w. BLACKBURN BURNISHING MACHINE Filed Deo. 9, 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 f /1 z/e/Zfor May 29, 192s. l 1,671,665

G. W. BLACKBURN BURNISHING MACHINE Filed Dec. 9, 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 fVe/e for i contact.

Patented May 29, 1928.

,UNITED STATES GUY W. BLACKBURN,

on ELGIN, ILLINOIS.

A BURNISHING" MACHINE.

y' Application tiled Decemberl My invention relates to a burnishing and buiiing and polishing and scratch brushing machine and has lor particular purpose al provision of a machine adapted to burnish, butt, scratch brush or polish articles of metal or other substances, the contours of which are irregular. One purpose of my device is wherein the means which -engagethe work `automatically contorni to the level of that part of tliework `with :which they are in Another object is the `provision of a burnishing, b'uiing, polishing orscratch brushing machine wherein the work engaging-'elements are adapted to risoland override upper projections'trom the level of the work and are adapted to return to theirnormal low level when opposed with two lower portions 1 ot -the work. Other objects Will `appear from. time Ato time throughout the` spccilicationand claims. 4

I illustratelny invention more or less vdiagranunaticallyy :in the accompanyingudrawf ings whereini i L f Figure l `is a side elevation of my device;

Figure 2 is asection on the lineQ--Q of Figure l; i i

Figure 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of, Figure l;

Figure 4 is a section Figure 5; A i l Figure 5 is a sectionfon the line 5`5 olf` Figure 1; i

Figure 6 is a section on the-linev 6;-6 of onL the iline" 41?-4` of Figurel is aldetail of avariant form of work engaging member;

Figure' 8 is aV plan View o of my device; i

Figure 9V is a section on "Figure 8;

Figure l0 is a ot Figure 9;

Figure ll is a secti of Figure 9; and

Figures 12 and 13 burnishing members. y

Like parts are indicated by like `characters throughout the speoiidcationand drawings. Y

ilteterringto Figures `1 and ollowing,"A is ani1 suitable base or work `supporting `nieuihini diagrainmatieally illustratede Up'- theline `9 section onlthe line 10s-10 on on theline 11--1l` areva'riant forms oi" wardly projecting trom itl are the support- Q, l1925. Serial No. 74,235.

inglnembers AAlvvhich yare connected the `intermediately positioned transverse plate .A2 and by thelupper transverse plates AA Aj\vliichfa1e spaced slightly apart.

lAligned along said plates `are a plurality y of' pairs ot rotating shafts or spindles B B1. to provide a machine ot the class described i Each such spindle passes throught aipiuion B2 or B3, such pinions being alli'n mesh and being rotated by a gear B* uponthe spindle orshaft Pf which may be rotatcdnforexample, by the chuck B6. Each spindle B or B1 is slidably mounted in `relation toi-such pinion B2 or B3, such pinionsbei'ng contained bet-Ween the transverse plates A3 A. 'Fhe 'spindles are,fhowever, keyed or held against relative rotationin-relationto said pinions` for example, bythe keys B7. Preterablythe tit of spindle in pinion is sulciently looseto permit certain tilting of the spindle as shownyfor example, inf Figure 5. :The spindles. 1 are limited as i to `their downward move- `ition C or C1, the spindles of `each pair being ment-byf tillen stop `collars B8 adjustably mounted thereon.

oppositely threaded or pitched. The screw threaded orworm portions which arefshwwn `1n crosssection in Figure 4, are hollow as iat f G2, a hollowsleeve C3 being held in position `therein, for example, byV-thesetscrewC.

C5 isA alu-shaped wireheadedas `at C and passing through the hollowofthersleeve Ca "and 'reely'rotatable invrelation thereto.

The wireCfsei-ves as a `stitfener or guidefor i reinforcement for a flexible member tt'or ext a varia-nt loi-In ample,` a closely ktwisted 4spiral spring()7 which is `held against rotation in relation to the sleeve C3 andthe-spindle itself. `It will be understood `thatthe ends of thewire C5 are identical, a'wirerotxthis typebeingeas l sociated witlreach pair of spindles, the wire being preferably sufficiently' fieXibleto permit the lower bend of` the .Uto conform to the shape of the work attening out,for, exam- 'ple,\as"-shown in- Figure 6; Referring to FigureflQ` I illustrate ai form of spring plunger comprising the "wire `or member C1 `andthe s ring Cliaboutfwhiclrthe diameter otltheicoils Aof the spring increase as at' C12 at the work engaging portion of theU. Figure. liillustrates ailurther variant forni in which a spring C20 is rotated about a horizontal axis for example by the opposed pins or spindles C21 Mounted about each pair of spindles is a guide block D, perforated asl at D1 D,1 to permit the passage of the spindles, the perforations being of sutlicientdiameter to permit free rotation of the spindles. These guide blocks are threaded along a plurality of guide wires D2, there being a pair of guide wires for each block, and as many pairs oiz guide wires as there are blocks as will be clear from Figures 5 and 6. A guide wire is secured to each side of each block, as at D3, for example, by an out-wardly projecting lug on the side of the block. The guide wires pass through vertical guide standards Dt, the outwardly projecting ends being provided with adjustable abutments D5 between which and the standards D4 are compressed spiral springs D6.

Thetransverse guide plate A2 is apertured to permit a passage ot' the spindles, and is so positioned in relation to the spin- I dles as always to receive the screw threaded or worm portion of such spindles. The spindles are of such diameter that when the spindles are in vertical position they do not engage the aperture walls. The walls, however, are screw threaded to conform to the screw threading or worms of the spindle.

Referring to Figures 8 and following, I illustrate a variant form of my device in which I employ a plurality of rows of single spindles. rlherein the drive shaft E and its pulley Elactuate an endless belt E2 which pass about a plurality of pulleys E3 positioned between the upper transverse yplates A3 and A. The single spindles E4 are slidrably mounted in said pulleys but are provided with splines E5 to prevent rotation therein. The guide blocks E6 are identical with those above described and are guided by `guide wires E" similar to the guide wires D2. Each guide block E, however, has but a single aperture and controls a single spindle. Each spindle is provided at its lower end with any suitable buiiing, grinding or polishing element. I illustrate, however, in Figure 7 a brush G which may be of wire or bristle, contained in a collar G apertured as atv G2 to receive the lower end of the spindle, to which it is secured by the set screw G". Referring to Figure 11, I illustrate a fibrous butling head` H, centrally apertured as at H1 to permit access to a screw H2, whereby its holding plate H3 is secured to the lower end of the solid spindle H. Hs is any suitable stop to prevent relative rotation of the buing member H and its supporting plate H3.

It will be realized that whereas I have illustrated a practical and operative device, nevertheless many changes may be made in the size, shape, number and disposition of parts without departing from the spirit of my invention and that I wish my drawings to be taken as in a practical sense illustrative or diagrammatic rather than as limited to the specific structures therein described and shown.

The useand operation of my invention are as follows:

Broadly stated one of the most important features lof my device is the diagrammatic adjustment of the rotating spindles to the height o` the work upon which they operate. I obtain this effect by keying the spindles in their driving pinions or pulleys to permit free axial movement and to allow a certain tilting. Thestops B8 which are adjustable, limit the downward movement of the spindles to some predetermined form. When the spindles are operating upon a piece of work, the thrust being directly downward upon t-he work, they are aligned by the guide blocks D or E, being thereby constrained to a vertical position. lVhen in such vertical position, they are out of contact with ythe screw threaded walls of the apertures in the-plate A2 and the worm portion of each spindle is out of contact with any opposed worm or screw threaded member. The spindles therefore drop either to the level limited by the stop B8 or to that level wherein the spindle or the working member at its end contacts the work. Thus if a flat plate is placed on the base A, the thickness being greater than the minimum distance between the working members on the spindles or upper surface of the base A they will operate on the flat surface of the plate and will be maintained in vertical position by the guide blocks Vand by the balance springs at the ends of the guide wires D?.

However, if as shown in Figure 5, a member of irregular contour or of thicknessV greater than the minimum distance between the working members and the base is inserted, its lateral pressure against the spifidles or their working members 'frees them against the resistance of the spiral springs D and holds the worm portions in engagement with the opposite screw threaded portions of the apertures in the plate A2. Since the spindles are in constant rotation, they are forthwith lifted until they clear the portion of the work `which constrains them to av laterally tilted posit-ion. They then spring back into vertical position owing to the compression of the springs D` and upward movement ceases and the downward normal pressure of the weight of the spindle holds the working member in its normal working engagement with the face of the work.

Referring particularly to the form of Figures 1 and following I employ for burnishing a plurality of pairs of spindles, each such pair being connected by a U-shaped lUO lltl

,non-rotating wire andffbyE a spiral spring f Which'rotates about theivire, the wire serv-` ing las guide wand reinforcement `to the spring.` The opposite'spindles of each pair "rotate in opposition and the effect isto io- `tate thetsprings C7 which serve as burni`shf ing members.

Referring more particularly to the form of Figures 8 and following, I showV a var1- ant drive by means of an endless belt Ez` instead of through pinions and gears. 'In

'addition to the change in the driving mechanism I employ single spindlestinstead of spindles arranged in pairs and I mount at l the end of each spindle any appropriate bufting or `polishing member, forexample, a fiber pad H orabrush G.

Referring to Figures 5, 6, l2 and 13,'I il- 3` Ilustrate a particularly eificient form of burnishing member consisting of a guide wire orlmember about which 'is rotated aiiner' Vcoiled Wire or spring. Therotation of the l spring, when the burnishing member is applied to the work"to be burnished has the or `Cwis preferably sufliciently flexible toA of the contour ofthe work.

conform tothe Work, thustenabling me to burnish` irregularly formed objects.

Iclaim: f f 1. In Aa device ofthe class described, a"

vertically disposed rotating clement Iand means for rotating it, a Werl: engaging meinber at the lower extremity oitsuch element and meanslfor axiallymovingisaid element automatically in response to irregularities `2. In a device lof the classdeii;cribe(l a" vertically disposed rotating" element and means for rotating it, a work engaging niember at the lower extremity of sucheleinent and means foi" axiallymoviug said element automatically in response to latcraldisplacement of theelement.

3. In a device of the class described, a vertically disposed rotating element and means for rotating it, a work engaging meinber at the lower extremity of siichel'em'ent and means for axially moving said element automatically in response to lateral tilting of the element. g

Ll. In a device of theclassdcscribed plu! rality of vertically disposed rods and means for rotating them, said rods being mounted to permit free axial "movementduring such rotation, and means for lifting said rods inv response to such rotation, andin automatic response tovariations in the contourlo'f the work. y g

5. In a device of `the classdcscribed, a

`through which said Worm `such aperture being ofgreater diameter than pluralityfbf vertically disposed rods and means forrtating them,"""said rods being mounted to `p'ermit free, axial movement dur ingsnch rotatiomand means for lifting said rods in 'response to such rotation, and in automatic response to variationsin thecontonroffthe work, comprising screw threads onsaid rods Iand amember about said rods being provided with `a screw threaded afperture of greater diameter than the rods.A

6. Ina device of the class described, a plurality of vertically disposed rods and `means for `rotatiing them, `said rods `being mounted to permit free axial movement during such rotation, and means for lifting said rods in response to such rotation, and in automatic response to variations in the contour of lthe work comprising screw threadson said rods and a member about said rods being providedwith" a screw threaded aperture of greater diameter than the rods, andineans for normallyv centering said rodsfin said apertures out of "contact with the screw threaded walls thereof.

7. In a device of the class described, a

vertically disposed rod, a driving 'member `to which said rod is keyed, the rod being axially movable'inrelation to the driving member, means for imparting a driving movement to saiddriving member, aworin portion on said-rod, an `apertured member portion passes,

the Worm, the walls thereof being." formed to conform" to snch worm, and means for normally holding said"worm out of contact with saidl walls.

, 8. In a device ofthe class described, a vertically*disposed rod, a` drivingmember to which said rod isiI keyed, the rod'being axially movable lin `I "t-ilation to the driving member, meansfor imparting a driving Hmovement to said driving member, a Worm portioir oir said rod, an apertured Vmember through" which saidv Worin"` portion passes,

Vsuch aperture being ongreatcr diameter than the worm, the walls lthereof `being formed to conform to suchworm, and means for normally holdingsaid worm out of contact with said walls, comprising an aper-" tured guide yoke about said rod and means for normally holding it in centering position.

9. `In a device :ofthe Class described, a verticallyl disposed rod. a driving member to which said rod is keyed, the rod being axially `movable in relation to the driving member, ineansfor `imparting a driving movement to said driving member,` a worin portion cn said rod, airapertured member throughwhich said Worm portion passes, such aperture heingof greater diameter than the Worm, and means for normally holding saidworm out of contactvvith said Walls comprising an apertu'red guide yoke" about lll said rod and yielding means for normally holding it in centering position. y

l0. In a device of the class described, a vertically disposed rod, a drivingr member to which said rod is keyed, the rod being axially movable in relation to the driving member, means for imparting a driving movement to said driving member, a Worm portion on said rod, an apertured member through which said Worm portion passes, such aperture being of greater diameter than the Worm, the Walls thereof being formed to conform to such Worm, and means for normally' holding said Worm out of contact With said walls, comprising an apertured guide yoke about said rod, thrust Wires associated with said guide yoke. fixed spring abutments through which said Wires pass, abutments on the ends of said wires andr yielding means compressed between said fixed abutments and the abutments on said Wires.f

.mally holding said Worms out of contact With said Walls.

l2. In a device of the class described, a plurality of vertically disposed rods, driving members to which said rods are keyed and means for driving them in unison, each rod being axially movable in relation to its particular driving member, vvorm portions on said rods, an apertured member through which said worm portions pass, such apertures being of greater diameter than the Y Worms, the walls thereof being formed to conform to such Worms and means for normally holding said worms out of contact with said Walls, comprising apertured guide i yokes about said rods and means for normally holding them in centering position.

13. In a device of the class described, a plurality of vertically disposed rods arranged in longitudinal alignment, drivinflr members to which said rods are keyed an( means for driving them in unison, each rod being axially movable in relation to its particular driving member, Worm portions on said rods, an apertured member through Which said Worm portions pass, such apertures being of greater diameter than the Worms, the Walls thereof being formed to conform to such Worms and means for normally holding said Worms out of contact with said Walls.

14. In a device of the class described, a plurality of vertically disposed rods arranged in longitudinal alignment, driving members to which said rods are keyed an means for driving them in unison, each rod being axially movable in relation to its particular driving member, worm portions on said rods, an apertured member through which said Worm portions pass, such apertures being of greater diameter than the worms, the Walls thereof being formed to conform to such Worms and means for normally holding said worms out of Contact with said walls, comprising apertured guide yokes about said rods and means for normally holdingr them in centering position including thrust Wires associated with said yokes, fixed spring abutments through vvvhich said )vires pass, abutments on the ends of said Wires and yielding means pressed between said fixed abutments and the abutments on said Wires.

l5. In a device of the class described, a plurality of vertically disposed rods, arranged in pairs, driving members to which said rods arc keyed and means for driving them in unison, the rotational direction of the rods and driving members of each pair being opposed, each rod being axially movable in relation to its particular driving member, vvorm portions on said rods, an apertured member through which said Worm portions pass, such apertures being of greater diameter than the Worms, the Walls thereof being formed to conform to such Worms and means for normally holding said Worms out.of contact with said Walls.

16. In a device of the class described, a plurality of vertically disposed rods, arranged in pairs, driving members to which said rods are keyedfand means for driving them in unison, the rotational direction of the rods and driving members of each pair being opposed, each rod being axially movable in relation to its particular driving member, Worm portions on said rods, an apertured member through which said worm portions pass, such apertures being of greater diameter than the Worms, the walls thereof being formed to conform to such worms and means for normally holdingk said Worms out of contact with said Walls, a U-shaped Wire associated With each pair of rods, the ends thereof engaging such rods andv in rotational relation therewith, a flexible member surrounding said Wire and engaging the ends of said rods and in non-rotational relation therewith.

17. In a device of the class described, a plurality of vertically disposed rods, arranged in pairs, driving members to which said rods are keyed and means for driving`` them in unison, the rotational direction of the rods and driving members of each pair being opposed, each rod being axially movable in relation to its particular driving member, worm portions on said rods, anx'A apertured member through Which said Worm portions pass, such apertures being of greater diameter than the Worms, the Walls thereof being formed to conform to such Worms and means for normally holding said Worms out of contact with said Walls, a U-shaped Wire associated with each pair of rods, the ends thereof engaging said rods and in rotational relation therewith, a spiral spring sur-v rounding said Wire and engaging the ends of said rods and in non-rotational relation therewith.

18. A burnishing tool comprising a close coiled spiral spring and means for rotating it, and a flexible reinforcing member about which such spring rotates.

19. A burnishing tool comprising a close coiled spiral spring and means for rotating it, and a Ushaped flexible Wire reinforcing member about which such springrotates.

20. A burnishing tool comprising a close coiled spiral spring and means for rotating it, and a reinforcing member about which such spring rotates, said Spring comprising portions of varying diameter.

2l. A burnishing tool comprising a U- shaped flexible Wire reinforcing member', a

close coiled spiral spring about such reinforcing member and means, secured to each end thereof, for rotating it.

22. A burnishing tool comprising ak close coiled spiral lspring and means for rotating it, and a U-shaped fiexible Wire reinforcing member about which such spring rotates, the spiral spring increasing in diameter from its ends to the middle of the U.

23. The process of burnishing which comprises imparting a rapid rotation to a fiexible spiral spring, and passing the Work to be burnished across the axis of rotationof said spring in a plane perpendicular thereto and in contact with the spring.

24. The process of burnishing which comprises imparting a rapid rotation to a flexible spiral spring, and passing the Work to be burnished across the axis of rotation of said spring in a plane perpendicular thereto and in contact With the spring, and pressing said spring downwardly against the Work. p

Signed at Chicago, county of Cook, and State of Illinois, this 5th day of December,

GUY W. BLACKBURN.

portion about the bottom 

